Stepan was held out of Saturday’s game with flu-like symptoms, but could be back in the lineup on Sunday. Coach Vigneault will know more tomorrow, but given the 5 pm ET start, he will likely be a game-time decision.

Stepan was listed as a game-time decision but there was less than a 50-50 chance that he would play. With Stepan out, that means that Lee Stempniak will play, he was originally expected to come out for J.T Miller.

Stepan (illness) will be a game-time decision for this afternoon’s game.

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said that “it’s looking less than 50-50” that Stepan will play this afternoon. If Stepan is unable to play, Derick Brassard and Kevin Hayes would likely centre the top-2 lines.

Stepan missed last night’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered on Tuesday, but he will play tonight. J.T Miller will be a healthy scratch and Stepan will skate in his usual spot between Chris Kreider and Martin St. Louis. Stepan has six goals and 21 assists (27 points) in 28 games this season.

Stepan (upper-body) will travel to Boston, but is doubtful to play on Thursday.

Stepan missed Wednesday’s practice after suffering an upper-body injury in the Rangers loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. With Stepan likely out, look for J.T Miller to centre the Rangers’ second line. Stepan is listed as day-to-day.

Stepan was injured in last night’s game and then missed practice this morning which doesn’t bode well for him being in the lineup tomorrow vs. Boston. With Stepan out, J.T Miller was centring the second line and Mats Zuccarello moved to the first power-play.

Stepan left Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Stepan played a season low 6:55 and while the team would not confirm the nature of the injury, it appeared as if Stepan suffered a hand injury after being slashed by Islanders forward Matt Martin. Stepan will be evaluated on Wednesday and more details should be released in the next 24 hours.

Stepan has missed the first 12 games of the season with a fractured fibula that he suffered in the preseason. He skated on the Rangers second line with Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider this morning, so expect that to be where he is at tomorrow. He had 57 points (17G / 40A) in 82 games last season. He had never missed a game in his NHL career prior to this injury, so expect him to play 70 games and potentially get back to 50 points again.

Head coach Alain Vigneault said that the chances of Stepan returning to the lineup tomorrow are "very slim." After Wednesday, the Rangers are off until Saturday, so they will likely give him the extra three days. Saturday seems like a much more reasonable return date.

Stepan has shed his no-contact jersey which means he is probably cleared for contact, which is a big step in the right direction. The Rangers announced last week that he remained without a timetable, but Ryan Malone was placed on waivers on Sunday, which suggests that Stepan is getting close---being cleared for contact confirms that.

Stepan (fibula) is expected to start practicing i the next four-to-seven days.

Stepan has reportedly suffered no setbacks in his recovery from a fractured fibula he suffered in the preseason. The plan is to have him start practicing and activate him from longterm injured reserve next week and have him in the lineup shortly after. Everything is on schedule for Stepan which is good news for the Rangers.